Avoiding double-heaviness
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:16 pm
The side discussion I brought up in the Yang Taiji thread appears to have caused a bit of a stir, so I thought I'd start a new one and state my position on the issue of avoiding double-heaviness more clearly. This, IMO, not only applies to Taiji, but all IMA styles in general.
Avoiding double-heaviness is about maintaining Yin and Yang balance while in motion.
Yin represents subtle yielding actions and stillness,
Yang represents overt attacking actions and movement.
Balanced movements are usually achieved in two ways:
1. When one part moves (Yang), another stays still (Yin).
2. When one part moves (Yang), another moves in the opposite direction (Yin).
People who are untrained or trained in non-IMA styles will almost always unconsciously move in the following ways that are considered double-heavy:
1. When one part moves (Yang), another also moves (Yang) -- double-heavy on the Yang side.
2. When one part stays still or yields (Yin), another also stays still or yields (Yin) -- double-heavy on the Yin side.
Avoiding double-heaviness is about maintaining Yin and Yang balance while in motion.
Yin represents subtle yielding actions and stillness,
Yang represents overt attacking actions and movement.
Balanced movements are usually achieved in two ways:
1. When one part moves (Yang), another stays still (Yin).
2. When one part moves (Yang), another moves in the opposite direction (Yin).
People who are untrained or trained in non-IMA styles will almost always unconsciously move in the following ways that are considered double-heavy:
1. When one part moves (Yang), another also moves (Yang) -- double-heavy on the Yang side.
2. When one part stays still or yields (Yin), another also stays still or yields (Yin) -- double-heavy on the Yin side.